Senate Bill 26-003 expands Colorado’s existing Battery Stewardship Act to add a separate framework for electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle propulsion batteries. The bill defines propulsion batteries and related actors such as propulsion battery providers, remanufacturers, repurposers, secondary handlers, and propulsion battery recyclers, and it sets out a battery-management hierarchy that prioritizes reuse, repurposing, remanufacturing, and then recycling before disposal. It also creates a new “Promoting Responsible End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries Act” short title and adds legislative findings emphasizing climate goals, air-quality benefits, battery-fire risks, and the value of recovering critical minerals.
The bill requires propulsion battery providers to register with the Department of Public Health and Environment, submit education and outreach plans, maintain public-facing websites, and participate in a state-approved collection and management system. It also requires labeling and marking of propulsion batteries, including chemistry, capacity, hazard, recall, and disposal information, and allows QR codes linked to a data repository. Remanufacturers and repurposers face similar labeling, reporting, and responsibility requirements, while secondary handlers must notify providers when unwanted batteries are identified, keep records, follow storage and shipping safety rules, and disclose state-of-health and state-of-charge information when available.
The bill also directs the state to adopt rules for certifying qualified propulsion battery recyclers and establishes performance standards for recycling, including minimum recovery rates for cobalt, nickel, and lithium by 2031 and 2035. It prohibits disposal of propulsion batteries at solid waste disposal sites and facilities, requires annual reporting by providers, remanufacturers, and repurposers, and authorizes the department to collect and publish aggregated nonproprietary data. The bill includes fee provisions, including a phased program initiation fee and an annual fee to cover administrative costs, with costs allocated among providers and some secondary handlers.
Its legal impact is significant because it amends the Battery Stewardship Act to expressly cover end-of-life management of electric vehicle batteries and creates new duties for manufacturers, importers, remanufacturers, repurposers, recyclers, and waste handlers. It also changes waste-disposal rules by barring landfill disposal of propulsion batteries and by establishing a state oversight and reporting structure for collection, reuse, and recycling. The bill takes effect after the referendum period unless referred to voters, and the context indicates it was ultimately signed by the Governor.
The overall sentiment appears broadly supportive and policy-driven, with the bill framed as an environmental, safety, and circular-economy measure. The legislative findings and structure suggest strong interest in reducing fire risk, improving battery recovery, and supporting electric vehicle adoption. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no documented recorded opposition in the supplied materials, but the bill’s detailed compliance, labeling, reporting, and fee requirements indicate the main areas where affected industry participants could have concerns.
This bill amends Colorado’s Battery Stewardship Act in Title 25 to create a new regulatory regime for propulsion batteries used in electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles. It imposes registration, outreach, labeling, collection, reporting, fee, and recycling obligations on propulsion battery providers, remanufacturers, repurposers, secondary handlers, and recyclers, while prohibiting disposal of propulsion batteries at solid waste disposal sites and facilities. It also directs the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission to administer the program, adopt implementing rules, certify qualified recyclers, and publish aggregated data.
The bill’s tone and stated findings are strongly favorable, emphasizing climate benefits, air-quality improvements, battery safety, and recovery of valuable materials. The context provided shows no committee transcript or vote breakdown, but the bill was ultimately signed by the Governor, suggesting it advanced successfully and had sufficient support. The policy framing indicates general support for extended producer responsibility and responsible battery recycling.
The most likely points of contention are the new compliance and cost burdens placed on propulsion battery providers, remanufacturers, and related businesses, including registration, labeling, reporting, collection timelines, and fee obligations. Secondary handlers and solid waste operators may also be affected by new notification, storage, and shipping requirements, as well as the landfill disposal ban. The bill also creates detailed performance standards for recyclers and requires disclosure of battery condition information, which could raise operational and proprietary-information concerns among industry participants.